A Lighter View
Springing forward
By K.E.H. Stagg

March 5, 2009

Some of us wait with bated breath for the lengthening hours of daylight, even though Dillsburg isn’t so far north that we live in overcast gloom, punctuated by a smear of sunlight. It’s just that the gloom of winter casts such a pall, that increased daylight act as a natural “upper.”

I’m well aware that debates continue to rage whether longer daylight hours at the end of the day actually improve the moods of people suffering from depression, or whether the possible mood enhancement is offset by the downer brought on by having to get out of bed in the dark. Being an avowed late riser by preference, this presents a dilemma for me, because I also like to “carpe diem” when it comes to post-work sunshine.

Studies also reveal inconclusive results on the financial benefits of increased electrical usage late in the day as opposed to early in the day, particularly as energy consumption patterns change. What has been conclusively proven, however, is that businesses such as sports benefit from increased after-work daylight hours. Not that Dillsburg is a major sports mecca, but the summer leagues no doubt plump up local coffers through use of the municipalities’ soccer and baseball fields, which is wonderful in these days of economic hardship.

Another significant plus with increased daylight hours late in the day is the reduction of pedestrian-related motor vehicle accidents. And while I don’t regularly walk Dillsburg’s streets, I’m certainly gratified—on behalf of those who do—to know that our streets are safer beginning this Sunday!

On the not-so-exciting news front, studies claim to prove that employee efficiency is decreased with the onset of daylight saving time, thanks to interrupted sleep patterns, and I’m going to have to agree with the tests on this one. Don’t mess with my slumber! Not unless you want to end up at the wrong end of a kick when you try to pry me out of bed prematurely.

Other studies claim that incidents of heart attacks and male suicide rates increase for 3 weeks at the onset of daylight savings time. Perhaps the heart attacks are brought on by the unexpected pre-dawn roust, although other studies present findings proving the exact opposite, so it’s hard to know which studies to believe.

Undisputed facts are that the change in daylight hours increases the incidents of skin cancer and night blindness, while posing difficulty to farmers, a profession that has always been dear to the heart of Dillsburg. All this makes me wonder if we ought not re-think the idea of what we’re “saving” by setting our clocks forward.

Still, the start of daylight saving time in our fair corner of the Commonwealth is a welcome reprieve from winter’s bleak cold, and I for one look forward to the arrival of even longer, warmer days to come.